Auto top off questions (1 Viewer)

[Bakes]

If you have the aqualifter on one of the relay switched outlets on your PC4, then yes, that will work. If you have it on one of the solid state switched outlets you will find that the aqualifter won't shut off after it is turned on. This is due to the low current draw of the pump.

That said, a single float switch with no back-up is pretty risky. If it fails open then the aqualifter will run constantly. You would want at least a second float switch that is normally higher than the highest water level. That way the only way that anything touches it is if the primary float switch fails. Theoretically should be less likely that you would have a double failure this way, but still not impossible.

As others have said, in addition to the float switches, it would be best to have the aqualifter on a timer as well, such that it can only run for, say, 15 minutes per day. Additionally, your top-off reservoir should limited in size such that if all of the water were added to your system at once there would be relatively little (preferably none) damage to the inhabitants.

One more thing to look out for is that your top-of reservoir water level be below the level of the outlet of the hose going into your aquarium/sump. If the top-off reservoir water level is higher, then it will continue to siphon into the tank after the pump has shut off.

No, i'm aware of ATO horrors, I thought he was saying on his PC4 and i was really confused.

 

[Bakes]

There are more essential redundacies that need to be in place for kalkwasser that isn't absolutely necessary for just a topoff with freshwater.

There is no mention if you have a pH probe for your controller. For redundancy ( along with time based ) I would never run kalkwasser without the controller able to shut if off based on high pH reading ( usually 8.6+ ) for added redundancy.

Kalkwasser can be your best friend but also your worst enemy. You can't be too careful. Just too many kalkwasser overdose/ accidents have caused tank crashed. So be smart and very thorough with all the things that could fail or go wrong.

yes, running a ph probe, didnt think about that one.

 

[Livestuff]

Good idea to just test the output of what ever you are auto dosing into a pail for the first couple of nights and days that way you can measure amount and verify that the controller is shutting off and only adding what you want added. Plus all the above mentioned redundancy.